The Sheriff’s Junior Deputies League has provided educational programs to the students of Hillsborough County for more than 40 years. This program includes topics ranging from the dangers of drugs, avoiding gangs, and shoplifting. Students even learn about the criminal court system by participating in a mock courtroom trial. The program culminates each year with the presentation of official badges and identification cards to the students.

The Junior Deputy Program is funded through annual donations from the community and funds requested by the Sheriff’s Office through the Law Enforcement Trust Fund (LETF). This fund provides monies to the Junior Deputies League as a result of forfeited assets obtained from criminals and their illegal enterprises. As a result, the program operates without the help of any taxpayer money.

This year’s winners were selected from an estimated 7,000 essays submitted to school principals throughout the county and narrowed to a field of 100 entries. Of the 100 entries, the ten winners here today were selected by the Contest Board for their outstanding essay written on the topic, “What being a Junior Deputy means to me.”

Each one of our winners was presented with a $100.00 savings bond, and a certificate for submitting the winning essays.